FOI Lawsuit Filed Against Nasarawa State Over 2023/24 Scholarship Bursaries

A significant legal challenge to government transparency was initiated on Tuesday, January 27, 2026, as a Freedom of Information (FOI) lawsuit was filed at the Federal High Court in Lafia.

The case, brought by citizen Ayuba Umar, targets the Nasarawa State Government and the Nasarawa State Scholarship Board over the controversial distribution of 2023/24 academic year bursaries. 

The lawsuit seeks to compel the state authorities to release the comprehensive list of beneficiaries, following allegations that the distribution process was non-transparent and excluded many eligible students. 

Key Elements of the Case:

The Plaintiff: Ayuba Umar, acting as a representative for the citizens and aggrieved students of Nasarawa State.

The Demand: A formal request for full disclosure under the Freedom of Information Act, requiring the government to provide verifiable data on who received bursary allowances.

The Allegation: The plaintiff characterizes the 2023/24 bursary exercise as a "sham," alleging that many deserving students were denied their rightful payments while the official list of recipients remains shielded from public scrutiny.

This legal action marks a pivotal moment for accountability in Nasarawa State. By invoking the FOI Act, the suit challenges the traditional opacity of state-run scholarship boards and asserts the right of the public to monitor the management of public funds.

The Nasarawa State Scholarship Board has faced increasing pressure from student unions and civil society groups in recent months to reform its disbursement procedures. A ruling in favour of the plaintiff could set a precedent for how state-funded educational grants are managed and audited across the federation.

The Federal High Court in Lafia is expected to announce a date for the first hearing in the coming days.